Summary

  • Alchemy in Baldur's Gate 3 provides access to Elixirs that offer advantages in combat, such as reversing an opponent's Fire Resistance or gaining Darkvision.
  • Players can craft Elixirs using specific ingredients, such as Dragon Egg Mushrooms or Salts, or find them from certain NPCs.
  • Elixirs can enhance different aspects of gameplay, including defense, offense, spellcasting, movement, and initiative, providing players with strategic options to diversify their gameplay experience.

Alchemy remains an underestimated portion of Baldur’s Gate 3 gameplay, especially when players prefer dealing old-fashioned justice to enemies with heavy-hitting strikes and spells. However, players can further diversify their Baldur’s Gate 3 sessions with Alchemy’s offerings, especially with Elixirs that can give access to various advantages to characters that spells and weapon actions can’t ordinarily provide.

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With Elixirs, players of the Dungeons & Dragons adaptation can make combat much easier to handle. Moreover, carrying the right Elixirs can help the party become ready for almost any form of combat situation - be it against giant bosses, sneaky assassins, and powerful spellcasters. However, just which Elixirs can help players get that much-needed edge?

Updated January 28, 2024 by Rhenn Taguiam: Courtesy of Hotfix #17, fans of Baldur's Gate 3 may have a more comfortable time engaging enemies in different combat encounters without having to be afraid if a more complex maneuver might end up in a bug. This is something players may immediately notice once they integrate Elixirs into their gameplay, especially when some of them can level up a character's combat performance with specific benefits.

Among more recommended Elixirs that players should use include one that reverses an opponent's Fire Resistance, something that provides its drinker with Darkvision, potions that improve its drinker's spellcasting or martial performance, as well as a must-drink potion before beginning adventures.

14 Elixir Of Fire Resistance

Reverse The Fire Resistance Of Opponents

Fire Resistance

Rarity

Uncommon

Effect

Fire Resistance

Craftable

Ashes of Dragon Egg Mushroom + Salt

Where To Find

Arron (Druid Grove)

Considering how most unique abilities in Baldur’s Gate 3 possess special elemental attributes, players can reduce the impact of powerful attacks against them with the right Resistances. In the case of explosively deadly Fire Damage, an Elixir of Fire Resistance can come in handy for players who find themselves dangerously close to flaming attacks.

When consumed, players get Resistance to Fire Damage as well as immunity to Burning. This allows them to easily dodge the game’s more dangerous elemental damage types.

Players can easily create Elixir of Fire Resistance via Alchemy if they have Salts and Dragon Egg Mushrooms, specifically Ashes of Dragon Egg Mushroom. They may also get the Elixir from Arron in the Druid Grove.

13 Elixir Of Darkvision

Get Darkvision To Dominate Battlefield Vision

Darkvision

Rarity

Uncommon

Effect

Darkvision

Craftable

Essence of Crystalline Lens + Salt

Where To Find

N/A

Considering the various environmental situations that affect gameplay, securing Darkvision as a means to bypass dark dungeons can give players an edge in anticipating potential combat encounters. If players aren’t using a Race with Darkvision, they can at least use an Elixir of Darkvision to secure this vision advantage.

Created by combining an Essence of Crystalline Lene and Any Salt, this Elixir lets players see in the dark up to 12 meters until they pull off a Long Rest. This length of time should give players enough opportunity to explore dungeons thoroughly without being hindered by the need for bright items.

12 Elixir Of Viciousness

Boost Critical Hit Opportunities For DPS Characters

Elixir of Viciousness

Rarity

Rare

Effect

-1 to Critical Hit

Craftable

Vitriol of Shadowroot Sac + Ashes

Where To Find

N/A

Players who know how to work their way around Baldur’s Gate 3 combat can score high damage numbers easily with the right combination of moves. However, the Elixir of Viciousness can take things a step further by boosting the odds of players scoring Critical Hits, which basically doubles the damage of their attacks.

When used with the right set of boosts, the Elixir of Viciousness can give a DPS specialist like the Rogue a lot of opportunities to hit Criticals and unleash mayhem. This is especially made more possible with features that lessens the total needed for a crit such as Improved Critical Hit (-1 to the roll needed, usually 20) or rerolling for higher results via Advantage.

11 Elixir Of Peerless Focus

A Spellcaster's Saving Grace For Concentration Spells

Elixir of Peerless Focus

Rarity

Uncommon

Effect

Advantage to Concentration Saves, Advantage against Charm, Cannot be put to Sleep

Craftable

Sublimate of Belladonna + Ashes

Where To Find

N/A

Much of the heavy-hitting spells in Baldur’s Gate 3 require Concentration, a D&D mechanic that guarantees the efficiency of a spell as long as its caster isn’t distracted. As with the TTRPG, Baldur’s Gate casters break Concentration should they choose to cast another Concentration-based spell or when they get hit. With the Elixir of Peerless Focus, spellcasters can maintain powerful spells without having to worry about wasting spell slots.

Upon consumption, the Elixir of Peerless Focus gives casters Advantages to Concentration Saves. Moreover, its users are immune to Sleep and possess Advantage over Charm effects. While this Elixir is not something that spellcasters need in every battle, boss battles where a caster like a Bard could be disoriented with a powerful attack could use this potion.

10 Elixir Of Barkskin

Boost Overall Defense For Extra Base Protection

Elixir of Barkskin
Rarity Uncommon
Effect Increases Armour Class to 16
Craftable Salts of Tree Bark + Suspension
Where To Find Found in the world

Spellcasters can only cast their spells when not wearing armor, severely hindering their defenses in Baldur’s Gate 3 combat unless they use much-needed spell slots for protective measures such as Mage Armor or the Armor of Agathys. However, thanks to Elixir of Barkskin, spellcasters like Wizards need only to drink a potion to improve their defenses.

Upon consumption, the Elixir of Barkskin immediately replaces their existing Armor Class to 16. This lasts until a Long Rest, giving a spellcaster much-needed room for maneuverability in any combat situation. When faced with multiple combatants within long range, even a faraway Wizard could use the AC boost to ensure the attacks against them miss.

9 Elixir Of Heroism

Get Blessed And Extra Hit Points For A Smooth Start

Elixir of Heroism

Rarity

Uncommon

Effect

+10 Temporary Hit Points, Blessed

Craftable

Sublimate of Pegasus Feathers + Ashes

Where To Find

Mol (Tiefling Hideout)

With Armor Class being the only deterrent between safety and death in D&D, players who want to enjoy their Baldur’s Gate 3 gameplay need to secure high enough AC or pack enough healing spells, potions, and Illithid Powers to maintain their survival. Thankfully, spells can also grant Temporary HP, which can serve as a buffer before attacks begin to lessen a character’s actual HP count.

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Thanks to the Elixir of Heroism, players no longer have to worry about wasting their spell slots just refreshing Temporary HP for the party. At its core, the Elixir of Heroism gives 10 Temporary HP to its drinker as well as the Blessed status, which adds +1d4 to their Ability Checks.

8 Elixir Of Guileful Movement

Freedom Of Movement For Better Tactical Positioning

Elixir of Guileful Movement-1

Rarity

Rare

Effect

Freedom of Movement: No Movement reduction by Spells and Difficult Terrain, Immunity to Paralyzed and Restrained effects

Craftable

Suspension of Ochre Jelly + Sublimate

Where To Find

N/A

Movement is an integral part of Baldur’s Gate 3 gameplay, especially since it determines how players can effectively position their characters in the tactical RPG. With the game providing players with a limited movement range per turn, even being a few meters away from a target or a spell range can make attacks useless. Thankfully, the Elixir of Guileful Movement can guarantee seamless movement even in the presence of interference.

Upon consumption, the Elixir of Guileful Movement will grant its user immunity to Paralysed and Restrained effects, making it easier for long-ranged weapon users to reposition to better vantage points. Moreover, they won’t receive any penalties to their Movement Speed regardless of the source, be it a spell or Difficult Terrain.

7 Elixir Of Vigilance

Control The Initiative To Control The Battlefield

Elixir of Vigilance

Rarity

Uncommon

Effect

+5 Initiative, Immunity to being Surprised

Craftable

Sublimate of Bloodstained Hook + Ashes

Where To Find

N/A

With the gameplay of Baldur’s Gate 3 being an adaptation of D&D mechanics, players who end up in combat also have to follow the TTRPG’s Initiative concept. This system determines how early characters make their moves in combat, and is something that usually dictates the pacing of battle. In surprise rounds, the ambushers gain the advantage of moving first. And with the Elixir of Vigilance, integral party members will likely gain that early bird boost.

When consumed, the Elixir of Vigilance gives its user +5 to Initiative on top of being immune to Surprises. Despite its straightforward effect, the +5 to Initiative can guarantee the likes of melee specialists going first to get a head start, or for glass cannon spellcasters to make the first move to secure as much damage as possible while opponents are still clustered together.

6 Elixir Of Hill Giant Strength

Get A Strength Boost For Additional Melee Strength

Elixir of Hill Giant Strength

Rarity

Common

Effect

Increase Strength to 21

Craftable

Salts of Hill Giant Fingernails + Sublimate

Where To Find

N/A

Frontline tanks and melee specialists such as Fighters and Barbarians often rely on Strength for their attack rolls to hit, making a high Strength Ability Score integral to their combat performance in Baldur’s Gate 3. Thankfully, the Elixir of Hill Giant Strength can make such an occurrence possible, with the potion boosting the user’s Strength to 21 until they make a Long Rest.

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With Ability Scores determining Ability Modifiers, having a Strength of 21 nets a +5 to all Strength-related checks. Moreover, having a base 21 Strength means players immediately get +5 on their Attack Rolls on top of Proficiency Bonuses and other buffs, significantly boosting their capacity to hit hard in combat.

5 Elixir Of The Colossus

Get Extra Firepower For Melee Attacks

Elixir of the Colossus

Rarity

Uncommon

Effect

Enlarged: +1d4 Weapon Damage, Advantage on STR Checks and STR Saves

Craftable

Satls of Chasm Creeper + Suspension

Where To Find

N/A

In an RPG like Baldur’s Gate 3 where an enemy with 1 HP can perform in combat as efficiently as their full-health counterparts, every bit of damage counts. Courtesy of the Elixir of the Colossus, players can get the upper hand with a constant damage buff to their attacks. When consumed, the Elixir of the Colossus bestows the feeling of the user growing in size - something that extends to their performance.

Upon consumption, its users gain Advantage on Strength Checks and Strength Saves. Moreover, weapons now deal an additional 1d4 Damage. Despite this seemingly low boost to damage output, this potion works best when combined with effects that grant multiple attacks, such as Extra Attacks, Bonus Actions, and Extra Actions.